Mary W. Kline

Mary Wright Kline graduated with high honors and accolades from all who loved her upon completing her degree and earthly assignment on July 28, 2020, majoring in life and family management. Her graduation ceremony will be held at Lockhart Baptist Church on Sunday, August 9th, at 4:00 pm.

Mary was born at home in Marbury, Maryland, on April 18, 1936 to Thomas and Eva Wright. She was probably the fasted delivered baby because she had no time for a long delivery – she had lots to do - lots to accomplish! At the young age of 16, she became a high school teacher in the 10th grade and then went on to graduate valedictorian of her Lackey High School class of 1954. In 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Kline, starting the next phase of her educational major in life and family management. She was a self-taught bookkeeper and business manager of the family businesses including gas stations, tire stores and go-kart tracks. Mary gave birth to a son and two daughters whom she gave her all to. In 1967, the family left for Florida where Lil' 500 was born providing a livelihood for the family. Mary, the seamstress, made all the uniforms, took care of all the bookwork and even worked at the business while taking care of her children and husband – she made sure they were fed, had clean clothes, went to piano practices, dance lessons, swim team practice, majorette practice, football games, parades, etc., sewing outfits, making baked goods, helping with homework assignments, and everything that keeps a woman super busy without having to run a business. Then at the age of 39, she became a grandmother. This began a whole new study in life where she gave of herself to see them through – all 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. At the age of 54, she graduated cum laude from UCF. The rest can be said by the family members themselves – memories of Mary, Mom, Grandma, Mema and the huge impact she has had on all their lives.

She loved a good funny movie and must have watched "What's Up Doc?" a thousand times – she never ceased to laugh at it no matter how many times she watched it. She loved Hallmark movies, annual ski resort trips with family, and absolutely loved the snow.
She made Christmas magical, taught us all to crack crabs the right way, made sure we didn't say, crap or fart, made Easter egg hunts epic, and I love corn because of her.

She is the reason I graduated high school by banging on my door every morning– granddaughter, Stacie

She selflessly took care of our Aunt Joy for several years, even while experiencing health issues of her own – daughter, Konnie
She always said she would love to work at Winn Dixie to make flower arrangements or at Christmas time at the mall - to wrap presents because she loved doing both. When asked, "why don't you do it?" she responded, "because I don't have to" – daughter, Konnie

She had a blast traveling with her sister Nina, sister in law Judy and cousin, Nancy, calling themselves "the Bad Girls" just for fun
She taught all of us that the best finds are always on clearance – great granddaughter Jessie

She made us the best crocheted blankets for the big moments in our lives. She made me Ramen noodles when I wasn't allowed to eat it. She always had cookies in her polar bear jar. She valued the small things to remember big occasions like getting us our class rings or spending money on our college or weddings. She thought we all were so smart and so capable that she made us believe that we were, she made us princess dresses – granddaughter Steffie

She was an absolute champion at Karem, she beat us almost every time we played – great granddaughter, Ellie
She was the queen of wrapping presents. She had a magical formula for perfectly wrapping a gift and never wasting an inch of paper. It is still a mystery to me – great granddaughter, Jessica

When I was scared as a little girl and even as a big girl, she always protected me from the world and myself. She was the most selfless person I have ever met, and I am so blessed to have had her as my mom and best friend. – daughter, Konnie

All her life, Mema had a style that was colorful and vibrant. She always looked beautiful, and I hope to live up to her fashionable example! Mema always knew how to make Christmas magical and family centered. I will never forget those wonderful nights spent making fudge at her side, filled with marshmallow fluff and gushy Hallmark movies to smile/laugh at together – great granddaughter, Hannah

She always loved a good party and probably loved a bad one if it was still a party – granddaughter, Steffie

She helped me get through an exceedingly difficult time in my life and took on a mother's role in helping to raise my first daughter. She also made sure I graduated from high school – daughter, Kathy

About 10 years ago I saw her smiling driving down the road all by herself. I called her to ask her why she was smiling – she was just smiling. She was like a mother to me and made sure, no matter how much I hated it, that I got my schooling done and passed. I wouldn't wake up for school so she would open the blinds every day and say RISE AND SHINE, RISE AND SHINE, I'M GOING TO GO GET THE WATER IF YOU DON'T GET UP. And she would go get water to throw at me – grandson, Robbie

Just because I had a stomachache, she would bring me hot tea and toast and let me stay in bed anytime I didn't want to go to school – daughter, Konnie
She gave the best arm and leg rubs. She had an amazing Christmas frozen lake scene she would put up at Christmas time. I loved playing with it all season. She taught me to always have more than one vegetable at a meal. – granddaughter, Stacie
She was always smiling and positive – daughter, Konnie

Her home-made blankets were always so warm and comfortable to curl up and nap under on her couch. Every time we talked, Mema knew exactly how to carry on a conversation. I have taken many tips from her conversation starters and social skills! She's inspired me to be confident and engaging with anybody I talk to – granddaughter, Hannah

She loved the smooth ride of a Lincoln Towncar. She always decorated the family dinner table so festive for each holiday. She was not a complainer and tolerated suffering like no other. To be one who was so active, she sure showed us how to adapt to forced inactivity and to trust the Lord even when the chips are down. Daughter - Kathy

In closing, one class in her studies that she did fail miserably in was "Living for Self-101". She quickly dropped the course shortly after registering realizing it would only waste her time as she could never pass. However, her heavenly college was more than happy to remove this course from her record leaving a glowing and shining GPA of 8.0 – if you can imagine that! While she continues to serve in a different capacity, her surviving family, , Husband Ron Kline of 64 years,brother Thomas Wright and sister Nina McCormick, son Randy Kline and daughters, Kathy Cirilo and Konnie Kline, Grandchildren, Stacie Scarborough, Robbie Kline and Stephanie Marion, and 6 great grandchildren, Jessica Ayuso, Ethan Scarborough, Hannah and Ellie Scarborough, Samuel and Cora Marion, will strive to follow their wife, mom, grandmother or great grandmothers godly example – Living for Others-101 – a class she passed with an A+++++!

If you would like to participate in Mary's heavenly graduation celebration, your expressions may be sent to Lockhart Baptist church, 7601 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, FL 32810. Phone: 407-295-1133 Office is closed on Friday's. Please leave your favorite memory of Mary in the guestbook.